Question

Add. Express your answer as a fraction. Do not include spaces in your answer.

5 1/4 + 15.5​

Answer 1

The sum of 5 1/4 and 15.5 is first converted to improper fractions, 21/4 and 62/4. They are then added together to get a final answer of 83/4.

Step-by-step explanation:

To add the mixed number and the decimal together, first, convert them to improper fractions with a common denominator or convert them into a common format (either both as decimals or both as fractions).

The number 5 1/4 is already a mixed number, so convert it to an improper fraction by multiplying the whole number by the denominator and adding the numerator: (5 × 4) + 1 = 21, so the fraction is 21/4. Next, convert the decimal 15.5 to a fraction. Since .5 is the same as 1/2, 15.5 becomes 15 1/2, which is 31/2 as an improper fraction.

Now, add the improper fractions:

• Step 1: Find a common denominator, which for 4 and 2 is 4.
• Step 2: Convert 31/2 to have the denominator of 4: 31/2 = (31 × 2)/(2 × 2) = 62/4.
• Step 3: Add the numerators: 21/4 + 62/4 = 83/4.

The final answer is 83/4, which is an improper fraction.